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'We needed to be serious and we were serious'

on the performance…I think we did our job. In the first half we were tested, defensively mainly. In the second half our offensive potential made the difference when they tired a little bit. From then on of course you had Arshavin, Walcott, Chamberlain and Giroud, who were always a threat. That made the difference, the difference of quality made a big impact on the result in the end.

But you have to respect Coventry because they gave a lot, they never gave up and they did fight for every single ball from the first to the last minute. When they got tired it became easier for us. It was a classical tie when you need to be serious, and we were serious.

on Giroud's first goal…It was in everybody's mind that the sooner he gets it the better. Certainly in his mind much more than in others' minds. That is positive of course. It was a good finisher and he is a good finisher, Olivier. At the moment I believe he is looking for confidence again and that goal will help him. I expect him to take that confidence into the Premier League.

on Walcott playing up front…I am not against it, not at all. We will try. At the moment we have a big competition up front, we have a different formula and the team is doing well. His time will come for that and at the moment we have to be a bit patient. He is a great finisher now, Walcott, in front of goal he is absolutely amazing.

on contract talks…We all want him to stay. I always said exactly the same. I always said let's hope that we can sign up and extend [his contract]. I speak to Theo of course. To his agents? We are always in touch with them and you have to give us some time to sort that out.

on Arshavin's central role…Arshavin's best position looks to be behind the striker now because that's where his vision, the creative side of his game, can be very efficient. When he has to work on the flank it is sometimes working against him because he has to work too hard up and down. But when he's central he always had an influence on the game.

Copyright 2015 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source26 Sep 2012

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